Teen Fitness Camp participants enjoy some healthy watermelon as part of the focus on healthy eating and fitness goals.

By RACHEL PIENTA
4-H Director

This summer, Wakulla 4-H partnered with Sunchaser Fitness, the UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program, the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth, and the Florida Center for Prevention Research at Florida State University to offer a new, teen-focused camp.


The new program, Wakulla 4-H Teen Fitness Camp, was offered for two weeks this summer, one week in June and one week in July.
The camp weeks focused on fitness and wellness for 10 middle and high school aged youth. Youth had the option to participate in one or both weeks and more than half the youth chose to return for the second week in July.
Sunchaser Fitness Coaches Rochelle Thayer and Brian Jones designed fast-paced physical fitness activities with an emphasis on safety and proper form. Youth were encouraged to measure their personal progress against themselves over engaging in competitive comparison with other participants.
During each camp week, Family Nutrition Program (FNP) educator Amy Frazier imparted essential life skills to the campers, teaching the youth about label comparison for healthier choices and leading discussions on the nutritional benefits of various fruits and vegetables.
The FNP lessons emphasizing moderation, particularly in choosing sugary drinks and snacks, as a core educational objective. The FNP segments of camp including engaging games and activities that facilitated conversations on portion control, the occasional treat approach, and strategies for balancing indulgences with healthier options.
Each lesson included hands-on activities, such as preparing nutritious fruit smoothies as alternatives to milkshakes.
Key takeaways for the students during the camp weeks included prioritizing water over sugary beverages and striving for predominantly whole foods in their diets to sustain energy and concentration throughout the day.
Prevention Training Specialist Karen Zak provided instruction as part of the Drug Free Communities Wakulla Support grant funding in partnership with the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth.
Zak’s programming segments included interactive games and experiential learning activities designed to help youth develop essential life skills needed to make positive decisions that support their health and wellness goals.
For more information about Wakulla County 4-H programs, visit the Crawfordville office at 84 Cedar Avenue or find them online on Facebook or at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/wakulla/4-h-youth-development/. Reach the Extension by phone at 850-926-3931 or contact Dr. Pienta directly at r.pienta@ufl.edu.
Wakulla 4-H will hold an Open House event on Aug. 24 in collaboration with other Wakulla County Extension programs. The public is invited to attend this family-friendly free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Extension office in Crawfordville. There will be food trucks on site with refreshments available for purchase.